A Mosque In Turkey Welcomes Local Cats To Come Inside

Aziz Mahmud Hüdayi Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey is opening its doors to new congregation members, and they’re of the non-human variety. Imam Mustafa Efe is welcoming the local cat population inside the house of worship, giving them a safe place where worshipers can pet and play with them while they pray.

(Picture Credit: Facebook – Mustafa Efe)

The neighborhood cats are already making the place home. Efe posted a video of a cat bringing her small kittens inside, finding a nice, safe corner of the mosque to cuddle together. Guests at the church are happy about the new residents, as well. They’re glad to have some new companions to celebrate with.

(Picture Credit: Facebook – Mustafa Efe)

It’s great to see a house of worship honoring and welcoming other members of creation. Many religions call on humans to take care of animals, so it makes sense that this mosque is doing what it can to help our feline friends. I’d love to see more churches, mosques, temples, or synagogues working to help animals, as well as humans. What do you think? Would you like to see more animals in your house of worship? Let us know in the comments below!

I applaud the Mosque and it’s members for their kindness and compassion of the neighborhood cats. The cats keep the rodents at bay from food storage, and provide a pleasant source for meditative humans. As a pagan I worship where I am..my home. I keep 4 cats at home and feed strays and birds and any outdoor creatures I meet. Water in a bird bath for drinking and bird bathing. Caring for creatures is part of my worship of the natural world. I would love to hear of more places of worship caring for animals as these fine people do.